DROOPYS TO USE HIS NOODLE
DROOPYS NOODLE (10.19) can continue the fine work of recent weeks by landing the hat-trick at Crayford tonight, live on RPGTV.
Back-to-back A1 wins for Dean Childs’ dog will give supporters real hope of confirming last week’s form with Droopys Jumper, although it might be fast-starting Trade Joey who offers the biggest test to Droopys Noodle.
Earlier, strong-finishing BLUEBELL BONNY (10.02) could take some holding if the leaders crowd in the
A4 for Katie O’Flaherty, while KILBREEDY TESS
(9.27) could be drawn to perfection outside in the
A2 to grab gold for Nick Carter’s kennel.
Sheffield shares the RPGTV stage where the best bets look to be LIGHTFOOT ALANA
(7.19), an improving and well-drawn youngster of Sean Davy’s, and the Joanne Lowe-trained Peekaboo Tammy (8.08), who can make all.
Open-race fans who need their fix are headed towards tomorrow’s cards at Henlow and Central Park with the best bets at the former’s afternoon fixture being Steve Fletcher’s LAYTON BOY (inset, right) (2.08), Tracy Stowe’s SPOT THE LIGHT
(2.28) and Carol Grasso’s JETSTREAM LYNX (2.48).
At Central Park, the home of the first major hurdles competition of the year, the Springbok, a trial stakes can go to last week’s runaway winner PIEMANS BULLET (7.36) for David Mullins. Other eye-catchers are likely leader BALDOIN (8.09) for Katie O’Flaherty and that cracking veteran Bockos Alfie (8.44) for Patrick Janssens. DOROTAS WILDCAT or King Turbo. That’s the decision facing the Greyhound Writers’ Association when it comes to the Greyhound of the Year voting after Turbo landed his fourth Category One competition of the year at Hove on Thursday.
In winning the Coral Greyhound Olympic, Liz
McNair’s star added to titles won at Monmore and Towcester in their Gold Cups, plus the Kent Derby at Central Park. Compare those successes to the Derby and Eclipse titles won by Kevin Hutton’s star. It’s a close call.
Either way, the build-up to greyhound racing’s night of the year in London on Sunday, January 27, is well under way. Tickets are selling well and further details, including sponsorship opportunities, can be obtained via the GBGB’s website www.gbgb.org.uk SLIPPY MAGGIE gets a 16-1 quote from the sponsors for the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket at Crayford in February after capping her outstanding year in winning the Boxing Day Marathon at the Kent track.
In leading home the brilliant Goldies Hotspur and reversing TV Trophy form with Savana Winner, Hazel Kemp’s bitch was adding to titles won at Henlow (Gold Cup) and Crayford (Kent St Leger), as well as finishing second in the St Leger. BEST wishes to Jim Hayton, the Kinsleybased handler, who is recovering in hospital after being taken ill during racing at Henlow last week. Along with partner Janneke, Jim is well-known for his ‘Lowgate’ prefix as a trainer and breeder. Get well soon, Jim.
Jonathan Hobbs is a GBGB Greyhound ambassador.